The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-04-15
INDUSTRIAL BRIEF LETS.

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of agriculture, writes: Occasionally re-
ports are made which lead us to believe
chat evil effects may sometimes follow
the use of sorghum as a fodder. Gen
orally any such injury is attributed to
the pOor condition in which the fodder
is used. Two French chemists, Berthe
lot and Andre, have latterly shown that
the lower part of the sorghum contains
enough nitrates to make It's use obiec-
tionable. 1t has been estimated that
in one hundred pounds of sorghum as
much as six ounces of nitrates are
found. Since these salts are mostly in
the lower p art of the stalk it is recon-
mended to cut sorghum rather high
when it is to be used for fodder. BY
observing this precaution and also see
ing that when sorghum is preserved in
a silo it is fed in good condition, no
danger need be apprehended.
The cause of the fertility produced
in fruit trees by bending the twigs at
an acute angle, has been investigated
by Professor Soraner. lie finds that
the bark on the lower surface of the
twig, below the bead, is thrown into
transverse folds, here and there de-
tached from the wood. New woody
tissue is formed in these cavities, which
is filled with starch grains, and after
this there is a formation of new woody
tissue of a normal character, but al
ways thicker there than elsewhere, and
especially on the convex upper surface.
The mass of woody tissue checks the
flow of water toward the tip of the
branch, to the great advantage of the
bud directly beneath, which is thus
more likely to develop as a fruit bud.
Some observations made in France
by M. Cosson may throw light upon
many mysterious fires. In one instance
spontaneous firing arose from an air
current heated to II degrees, Fahrenheit
only. The wood slowly ]carbon;zed
at that temperature, and, being thus
made extremely poruos, a rapid absorb
ton of oxygen resulted, and sufficient
updI was JuGH pLOullCGu " lulltLllG luO
dry material. In another case the
warmth from the air-hole of a stove
was sufficient to sci fire to woo d-work.
When files have become clogged with
oil and grease the best plan is to boil
them for a few minutes in some
strong caustic s~oda-water. A little
~scrubbing with an old toothbrush W i'll
be beneficial before rincing thin in boil
ing water and drying before a fire.
The pins" which are so harmful to
fine work, can be removed by a thin,
hard piece OF sheet brass. These ''pins'
may to q great extent be avoided by
using chalk on the file if it be used dry,
or oil when that may be applied.
Some experiments carried out at the
Ontario Agricultural college to test the
terminating qualities of seeds of vari-
Gus kinds, ten years old, have given the
percentage of termination: Tares, 80;
mangolds, u; turnips. 80; buckwheat.
16; clover, 6; timothy grass, 2; barley,
oats, rye, beans, and peas, 0 Several
samples of most varieties were tried.
In the case OF beans, though ten sam
Piles failed to terminate, two tried sep
arately gave a per cent OF 30.
Bad breath in COWS indicate some dis
order of the stomach, and is general
accompanied by feverlsh symptoms,
either hot or cold horns, and 4 falling
off of milk. The feeding of q handful
or two of pulverized charcoal with each
feed Of meal or bran, and mixed with
it, in our experience is one of the best
eorrect,yes that can be used. 1t is
equally valuable for all other domestic
animals, and not less so in the family,
only the quantity should be decreased.
An English foo~d-inspector, Mr..
James Bell, finds that horsefesh ana
beef can not be positively distinguish
ed BY external appearance, but that the
fat is a reliable test. The horse-fat il
fluid at a temperature of 10 degrees,
and has a specific gravity at lO0 de-
grees Of about 90S. Z; while the fat Of
beef melts alto to 120 degrees, and is
considerably lighter. The low melting
point Of the fat will show when
sausages are made from horse-meat.
Bruises may be taken out Of the
woodwork Of scientific instruments by
wetting with warm water. Then las
on the place brown paper about five
layers thick, and apply a hot aat-iron
until the moisture is evaporated. Il